The former forward of Kyiv Dynamo and the Ukrainian national team Victor Leonenko responded to the rumors that midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka, who currently plays in the Polish "Krakovia" may return to the ranks of the Ukrainian national team.
Victor Leonenko- How did you take the insider that Konoplyanka may return to the Ukraine national team?
- Why are you surprised? They are both from Dnipro! What is Rotan doing there [in the national team of Ukraine] in general? Maybe they`ll start taking coaches from the second league? Why has it come to this? Maybe Biden came to negotiate for Konoplyanka? (Laughs).
- What do you think about Konoplyanka's performances at Cracow?
- I would ask that question to the FBI or CIA. (Laughs). That's how you should write. That's how Rotan takes it, if no one has seen him?
- How can a 33-year old national team veteran be useful?
- In general, you need to get in the team, not take him. You realize it looks silly that the national team player hasn`t played much in the clubs. But this is Zhenya!
Have you ever heard during the years you`ve been playing in Europe that Konoplyanka is a fucking player?
No, we need him. He hasn`t played anywhere and coaches say only good things. That`s why he is in the National team - to warm up the team with his experience, with his positive attitude.
- Is Kono able to compete at the same level as Mudryk, Zubkov, Petryak?
- I think not. Mudrik and Tsygankov are there. What Konoplyanka? Even if everyone suddenly gets sick, he can`t even get there. There are people on the left. He can`t play on the right. I do not understand what he has to do in that team.
- Why does Kono need the national team at all - is he an option for 90 minutes or a lucky substitute?
- It's not like anyone has seen him, what kind of shape he's in. What championship he plays in. Our people are not able to analyze.
There is an impression that Rotan wants to reprimand Petrakov: "You did not have him, but he played for me".
It was like with Fomenko with Gusev. There was a phase like that.
- Would a call-up to the National team help Gaines restart his career?
- I thought that Konoplyanka will play for Shakhtar. There is no need to be selected? You have the technique, take it and chudy, which was welcomed. He couldn't even play there. At least he became the champion of Ukraine. He was our star, and he became the champion at the age of 30, when he has lost speed.
- Konoplyanka's appearance in the team increases Rakitskiy's chances?
- Rakitskiy is not suitable. Look who plays in his place. He should be free, like the blond in Arsenal. Then you need Rakitskiy, and we need to take away from us. We won't always get the Balkans.
- Who else of the forgotten characters could help the team? Buyalskyy? Kovalets? Anyone else?
- There is no point in guessing. I would recommend Rotanyu to take Shevchuk. At least this one will run a lot. (Laughs). Kovalec is always injured.
Petrakov hasn`t seen Buyalskyy and there`s no need to blame him for that.
If you're a scorer in the team, it does not mean that you`ll be like that in the team.
Oleksandr Kaplienko
